A short description of the ensemble history and achievements.

1. http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
1958
2013
Folklore Ensemble

2. http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
Horní Bříza
CZECH REPUBLIC

3. 1958 - The Beginning
I
t was the year
1958 and the
town of Horní Bříza
in the North rural
district of Pilsen
(Czech Republic)
had a new cultural
event to be recorded
in its chronicle – the
folklore ensemble
“Úsměv” was
founded.
http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
Z
deněk Bláha, a music
journalist and folklorist,
was present at its birth and
is still its artistic director.
The great music and dance
background of the areas
of Horní Bříza, Dolní Bělá,
Plasy, Kralovice and Pilsen
became the source of the
ensemble’s artistic activities.

4. G e tt i n g E x p e r i e n c e . . .
G
http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
radually they developed
their own style of
interpretation, whose
background was evident.
In the Czech language the
word “úsměv (smile)” evokes
joy; therefore the ensemble
bearing the name endeavored
to bring wit, joy and gentle
humor to the stage. And it
has been drawing on these
traditional optimistic sources
ever since.

5. S o l i d Fo u n d at i o n s
T
http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
hanks to its great singers
and musicians in the
band and the interpreting
abilities of the dancers, the
ensemble has found its place
among the ranks of the best
folklore collectives in our
country.

6. B e c o m i n g T h e B e st
I
http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
n the seventies and
eighties when national
folklore festivals were
held, it was the only
ensemble to be awarded
the main prize twice –
in Poprad and Košice.
It won awards in later
years too – for its
arrangement, music and
choreography.

7. Conquering
T
the
Wo r l d
http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
he ensemble has
successfully presented
its distinguished style
at many international
festivals and tours all
over Europe.

8. http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
E u r o p e a n F e st i v a l s

9. http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
N a t i o n a l F e st i v a l s

10. Te l e v i s i o n
T
he ensemble has also had its own TV shows, there are several videorecordings, and group has appeared in several foreign studios.
Píseň to je touha - TV film
1974
30th Anniversary of Liberation - concert in the J.K.Tyl theater
1974
Sunday in the Club - TV show
1974
From Šumava to Tatra Mountains - TV film with Karel Gott
1975
My Country - TV broadcasting from the J.K.Tyl theater
1975
Jede forman jede - TV show
1975
To se to tancuje - TV show
1975
Sunday in the Club - TV show fimled in Horní Bříza
1976
Postcard from Moravia- TV film with Karel Gott
1976
Den stavbařů - TV show
1979
Sunday in the Club - TV show
1983
Amadeus - TV film by Miloš Forman - won 8 Oscars
1986
Dneškem k zítřkům - TV show
1986
Respirium - TV Chrostmas show
1987
Roses from the Šumava Mountains - together with Lesanka
1988
Orbis Roots - TV show filmed in Horšovský Týn
1988
Television in Prague
1990
Proč dudáci tupají- TV show
1993
TV Show with Šťáhlavská šestka
1994
35 úsměvů - 35th anniversary of Úsměv
1995
45th Anniversary of Liberation of Pilsen
1998
Silvestr - TV show
1999
Koncert jubilantů from Stážnice
2001
http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
1973
Silvestr s Jožkou Šmukařem- TV show
2003
Kořeny (Roots) - TV show filmed at the chapel in Horní Bříza
2004
Christmas in Europe - TV show for German TV station
2007
Christmas in Europe - TV show for German TV station
2008
Putování za písničkou - TV show

11. Te l e v i s i o n
F ilm „Postcard from Moravia“
with Karel Gott
http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
F ilm „Amadeus“ directed by Miloš Forman

12. Recordings
T
http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
he ensemble has recorded over 250
songs in the studio of Czech Radio
and record labels have made 5 LP and
12 CD recordings with it.

13. http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
2 1 st C e n t u r y

14. http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
2 1 st C e n t u r y
© Milan Pták
© Milan Pták

15. http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
2 1 st C e n t u r y
© Milan Pták
© Milan Pták

16. http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
2 1 st C e n t u r y

17. I
http://www.soubor-usmev.cz/
soubor-usmev@volny.cz
n its artistic production the “Úsměv” ensemble tries to remain worthy
of what professor Karel Plicka said of it: „Czech songs and dances have a
heritage of optimism, which your interpretation makes bloom.”
Published by Folklore Ensemble Úsměv Horní Bříza.
Photos are taken from the ensemble archive, except those on pages 14 and 15.
© Úsměv 2013